Melanoma: Test Your Knowledge

Melanoma Quiz, featured in the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center's "Advances" Newsletter

1.) The majority of melanomas occur from a changing mole

2.) Melanomas always have a dark discoloration.

3.) Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is twice as strong as one with SPF 15.

4.) If a melanoma has spread to lymph nodes, the lung is the internal organ that has the higher risk of getting involved next.

5.) There are identified risk factors for developing melanoma.

6.) Melanomas are only found on skin surfaces that are exposed to the sun.

7.) Early diagnosis is important for a melanoma patient.

8.) A shave biopsy is the best approach for a skin lesion suspected of being a melanoma.

9.) Melanoma is usually curable once spread to distant sites.

10.) Clinical features of a skin lesion can help identify melanomas.

Growing up with fair skin, sunburn and tan envy!

www.freedigitalphotos.net

I am a fair skinned person, I grew up with a sister who has a beautiful olive skin tone and tans very easily and I was always jealous of her ability to tan. Me, I had to work for one, and I that usually meant getting sunburn first. During my youth I burned quite a few times, with blisters, which doubles my chances of developing skin cancer. Not to mention, it was extremely painful! I tried my best to remember to apply sunscreen! When I was younger, it was easy to lose track of time and reapply sunblock every 20-30 minutes if my mother wasn't nearby.Today, there are methods that make this much easier, such as sun protective clothing with UPF factors that block both UVA and UVB instead of prolong the reddening of the skin, which is what sun screen does.

How long it takes to sunburn by UV Index Ratings

First let's start with a means of finding your UV index. Check your UV index here.

0-2 Minimal UV Exposure, over 60 minutes to sunburn.
A wide brimmed hat should do, and sunglasses if applicable. 
3-4 Low, sunburn can occur in approximately 45-60 minutes or more.
Wear a hat and protect your skin using clothing UPF 15 and SPF 15 on any exposed skin every 2 hours.
5-6 Moderate, sunburn can occur within 30 minutes.
Wear a minimum of UPF 15 clothing, UPF 20-24 is recommended, and polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes. Sunblock SPF 15-30 should be applied to any exposed skin, every 2 hours.
7-9 High, sunburn can occur within 15-20 minutes.
 Advised to stay inside between peak times of 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Wear UPF 40-50+ clothing, hat, polarized sunglasses and SPF 45 to any exposed skin every 2 hours.
10+ Very high, sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes
 It is recommended you stay indoors. If you go outside, try to stay in a shaded area, keep yourself hydrated, wear SPF 40-50+ clothing, wide brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses and SPF 45 on any exposed skin every 2 hours.